Bethel University vs. Arcadia

Should I go to Bethel University or Arcadia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bethel University or Arcadia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bethel University vs. Arcadia University comparison
Bethel University Arcadia University College 3 College 4
Bethel University Arcadia University
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Overview

Bethel University Arcadia
Location Saint Paul, MN Glenside, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,546 3,026
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #238 #502
Religious Affiliation Baptist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethel.edu arcadia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel University Arcadia
Tuition (In State) $41,110 $46,430
Tuition (Out of State) $41,110 $46,430
Room & Board $11,490 $13,720
Avg Net Price $29,915 $29,692
Avg Grant Aid $24,586 $30,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Bethel University Arcadia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,199 6,321
Admitted 1,594 4,903
Acceptance Rate 72.5% 77.6%
Enrolled % 27.9% 10%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 24/29
SAT Range 1123/1343 1088/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Bethel University Arcadia
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Bethel University Arcadia
Graduation Rate 73% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,400 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $252 $279

Diversity

Bethel University Arcadia
% Men 38% 32%
% Women 62% 68%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 78% 68%
% Black 5% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Bethel University Arcadia
% In-State 79% 62%
% Out-of-State 21% 37%

Campus

Bethel University Arcadia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 3,026 students)

Bethel University vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or Arcadia?

  • Arcadia University is 12.9% more expensive to attend than Bethel University for in-state tuition ($46,430.00 vs. $41,110.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.9% higher at Arcadia than Bethel University ($46,430.00 vs. $41,110.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Bethel University ($29,692 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 19.4% lower than costs at Arcadia University ($11,490 vs. $13,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arcadia University than Bethel University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 25.8% larger than aid received Bethel University ($30,934 vs. $24,586)

Bethel University vs. Arcadia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel University or Arcadia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Arcadia or Bethel University .

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 23 points higher than at Arcadia (1104)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Arcadia (25)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
  • Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

Bethel University vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel University or Arcadia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Arcadia and Bethel University.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Arcadia University (73% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $46,400)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $2,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Arcadia graduates. ($24,400 vs. $27,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Arcadia graduates. ($252 vs. $279)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/